Leaf compactor

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for use with yard waste bags of the flat-bottom paper type is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a base and a shaft, the shaft terminating at one end in a handle and at the other end in the base. The shaft is hollow. The base and the shaft are constructed out of plastic and in the form of a hand tamper. The tamper is sized such that, when the tamper is operatively disposed within an empty one of said bags with the base on the bag bottom, the base substantially fully occupies and overlies the bag bottom and the handle projects above the bag.

REFERENCE TO A PRIOR APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/265,897, filed Dec. 2, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of hand tools for the yard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many plants lose their leaves seasonally and it is commonplace at least in parts of North America for homeowners to gather fallen leaves and package them in large paper bags for municipal pickup.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Apparatus for compacting leaves forms one aspect of the invention. This apparatus comprises a base and a shaft. The shaft terminates at one end in a handle portion and at the other end in the base. At least the shaft is hollow. The base and the shaft are constructed out of plastic and in the form of a hand tamper and the base has an uneven surface.

Forming another aspect of the invention is apparatus for use with yard waste bags of the flat-bottom paper type. This apparatus comprises a base and a shaft terminating at one end in a handle and at the other end in the base. At least the shaft is hollow. The base and the shaft are constructed out of plastic and in the form of a hand tamper. The tamper is sized such that, when the tamper is operatively disposed within an empty one of said bags with the base on the bag bottom, the base substantially fully occupies and overlies the bag bottom and the handle projects above the bag. This apparatus can further comprise a pair of clips, the clips being disposed on opposite sides of the shaft and adapted such that the tamper can be disposed on its base and a pair of said bags can be clipped to opposite sides of the tamper and supported in upright relation by said tamper.

With respect to either apparatus:

-   -   the base can be hollow;     -   the uneven surface can be textured in a manner similar to the         manner in which the striking face of a meat tenderizing mallet         is textured;     -   the base and the shaft can be plastic; and     -   the uneven surface can be selected from: ribbed, ridged,         pebbled, lumpy, bumpy, coarse, jagged, rough, rugged, scraggy,         undulating, wavy and nubbly.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further features and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, the latter being briefly described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exemplary device 20 shown in FIG. 1 will be seen to comprise a hand tamper 22 and a pair of clips 24.

The hand tamper 22 is a hollow plastic structure including a base 26 and shaft 28. The base 26 is a generally rectangular structure with an uneven undersurface 30 that is textured in a manner similar to the manner in which the striking face of a meat tenderizing mallet is textured. Suitable descriptors for this surface include: ribbed, ridged, pebbled, lumpy, bumpy, coarse, jagged, rough, rugged, scraggy, undulating, wavy and nubbly. The base 26 is generally planar, but the top surface 32 is in the form of a truncated pyramid, with walls having relatively low slope.

The shaft 28 has one end 34 connected to the base 26 and extends substantially normally from the base 26, from the side opposite the uneven undersurface 30, to another end 36 which terminates in a manually-grippable handle portion 38. The end 34 of the shaft which is connected to the base is in the form of another truncated pyramid, with a relatively smaller footprint than the base, and steeper walls. Intermediate the handle portion 38 and the pyramidal end 34 is a length 40 of square plastic tubing.

The clips 24 are disposed on opposite sides of the shaft 28, immediately preceding the handle portion 38.

The tamper 22 is adapted for compacting leaves inside yard waste bags of the flat-bottom paper type. Specifically, the tamper 22 is sized such that, when the tamper 22 is operatively disposed within an empty one of said bags with the base on the bag bottom, the base 26 substantially fully occupies and overlies the bag bottom and the handle 38 projects above the bag. In the illustrated embodiment, the base is 5.5″×10″ x≈1.5″, and the overall height of the tamper is 39.5″. This sizing, coupled with the lightweight plastic construction, permits a user to, with relative ease, pack leaves within yard waste bags. This reduces the number of bags needed for a given quantity of yard waste. The uneven nature of the undersurface 30 of the base 26 assists in breaking down dry leaves, improving compaction.

As well, by virtue of the inclusion of the clips 24, the tamper 22 can be disposed on its base 26 and a pair of said bags can be clipped to opposite sides of the tamper 22 and supported in upright relation by said tamper. This makes the task of packing easier, as otherwise, the bags, when empty, do not readily stand upright for receipt of waste.

Whereas but a single exemplary embodiment is herein described, it will be evident that numerous modifications are possible.

For example, whereas a specific size is described, other sizes are possible.

As well, whereas in the illustrated embodiment, both the base and shaft are hollow, this is not necessary.

Further, whereas plastic is specified for construction, this is also not necessary; any relatively lightweight, sturdy material could be utilized, such as but not limited to carbon fiber, wood and aluminum.

Accordingly, the invention should be understood as limited only by the accompanying claims, purposively construed. 

1. Apparatus for compacting leaves comprising: a base; and a shaft terminating at one end in a handle portion and at the other end in the base; wherein: at least the shaft is hollow; the base and the shaft are constructed out of plastic and in the form of a hand tamper; and the base has an uneven surface.
 2. Apparatus for use with yard waste bags of the flat-bottom paper type, said apparatus comprising: a base; and a shaft terminating at one end in a handle and at the other end in the base, wherein: at least the shaft is hollow; the base and the shaft are constructed out of plastic and in the form of a hand tamper; and the tamper is sized such that, when the tamper is operatively disposed within an empty one of said bags with the base on the bag bottom, the base substantially fully occupies and overlies the bag bottom and the handle projects above the bag.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a pair of clips, the clips being disposed on opposite sides of the shaft and adapted such that the tamper can be disposed on its base; and a pair of said bags can be clipped to opposite sides of the tamper and supported in upright relation by said tamper.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the base is hollow.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the uneven surface is textured in a manner similar to the manner in which the striking face of a meat tenderizing mallet is textured.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the uneven surface is selected from: ribbed, ridged, pebbled, lumpy, bumpy, coarse, jagged, rough, rugged, scraggy, undulating, wavy and nubbly.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the base and the shaft are constructed of plastic. 